Lawrence v. Rector — 137 U.S. 139 (1890)

137 U.S. 139 (1890) LAWRENCE v. RECTOR. No. 56. Supreme Court of United States. Argued November 6, 7, 1890. Decided November 17, 1890. APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS. Mr. Henry A. Gardner (with whom was Mr. Robert D. McFadon on the brief) and Mr. Samuel W. Williams (with whom was Mr. S.F. Clark on the brief) for appellants. Mr. U.M. Rose and Mr. Augustus H. Garland (with whom were Mr. F.W. Compton and Mr. G.B. Rose on the brief) for appellee. MR. JUSTICE BREWER delivered the opinion of the court. This is the second time this case has been to this court. It came first on demurrer to the bill, and the decision is reported in 111 U.S. 276 . The demurrer, which had been sustained in the Circuit Court, was overruled by this, and the case remanded with instructions to permit answer and proceed to proof. Obediently thereto answer was filed in the Circuit Court, and the case proceeded to proof and hearing. The history of the "Hot Springs" litigation, of which this is but a fragment, has been so often referred to in the opinions of this court, particularly in the case in 111 U.S. supra, that reference thereto now is superfluous; and in reference to the principal matter in controversy here, the title to the lots, it is enough to say that every material fact alleged in the bill was proved, and that nothing was developed in answer or testimony to disturb the conclusions of law heretofore reached by *140 this court. The matter of title was established by the decree of the Circuit Court in accordance with the views of the law entertained and announced by this court, and there is nothing in the testimony to withdraw the case from the scope of that conclusion. The Circuit Court entered a decree for title also directed an accounting. That accounting, as finally settled, credited the defendant with the amount of taxes and assessments paid by him the amount of purchase-money paid to the United States for the lots and the expenses incurred in obtaining the patent and the amount due for improvements, on the basis of the lease which established the rights of the parties, and charged him with the money received on certificates from the government for buildings condemned and destroyed, and also the rental value of the premises from the time of the award of the commissioners to the date of the decree. We are of opinion that the rental value ought not to have been charged; that, under the peculiar circumstances of this case, having reference to the doubt that must have arisen as to the matter of title, to the prima facie effect of the award given by the commissioners, and to the evident good faith of all the parties in reference thereto, the true measure of liability is not the rental value, but the actual receipts. This account, as stated by the Circuit Court, was as follows: To rent of premises ... ... ... ... ... ... $9,541 66 To amount due on certificates for condemned buildings . 10,737 86 __________ $20,279 52 By amount of taxes and assessments paid, $2,306 98 By amount purchase-money paid for lots, 1,528 00 By amount expenses in getting patent . 112 35 By amount for improvements as per covenant ... ... ... ... . . 8,666 67 __________ $12,614 00 $12,614 00 __________ Balance due Rector ... ... . $7,665 52 *141 This account should be modified so as to charge defendant with amount received on certificates for condemned buildings, $10,737.86, and other amounts actually received from the property, $5659.07; total $16,396.93. From which, deducting the credits allowed, there remains a balance of $3782.93. The decree of the Circuit Court will therefore be modified and the case Remanded with instructions to enter a final decree, as heretofore, establishing the title of the complainant and decreeing to him possession, and adjudging that he recover of the defendants the sum of $3782.93, with interest from the 11 th day of November, 1886, the time of the final decree.

Public-domain opinion of the United States Supreme Court, reproduced from the court record (U.S. Reports). Historical text may contain OCR artifacts. Provided for reference — not legal advice.